Preface and General Introduction

Abstract

Modeling and analyzing the dynamics of chemical mixtures by means of differential equations is one of the prime concerns of chemical engineering theorists. These equations often take the form of systems of nonlinear parabolic partial differential equations, or reaction-diffusion equations, when there is diffusion of chemical substances involved. A good overview of this endeavor can be had by reading the two volumes by R. Aris (1975), who himself was one of the main contributors to the theory. Enthusiasm for the models developed has been shared by parts of the mathematical community, and these models have, in fact, provided motivation for some beautiful mathematical results.